SA Navy SOS! Is Underfunding Sinking Our Maritime Security?
Colaboradores
The South African Navy is facing a critical situation, with Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese warning that underfunding by the National Treasury is severely compromising maritime security. This comes at a time when South Africa faces increasing irregular conflict, organised crime, and growing maritime security threats.
Underfunding Cripples Operations
Vice Admiral Lobese addressed the Joint Standing Committee of Defence, highlighting the dire state of the Navy and the significant delays in procuring essential spare parts for vessels and frigates. He stated frankly that South Africa's borders are becoming increasingly porous due to this persistent underfunding.
"The National Treasury can’t be allowed to be a super department...The National Treasury has been ordered by the commander in chief to fund the SANDF to 1.7% of GDP. We are mindful of the challenges that the country is facing but that can’t be negotiable," Lobese emphasised.
Parliamentary Intervention
Members of Parliament have expressed serious concerns and pledged to intervene. EFF MP Carl Niehaus pointed out that despite the President's commitment to allocating at least 1.5% of GDP to the SANDF, the austerity budget presented by the Minister of Finance resulted in a real cut in funding.
ANC MP Mzimasi Hala suggested escalating the matter to the Office of the President, a sentiment echoed by DA MP Chris Hattingh, who called for the Commander in Chief to address the committee directly.
SANDF facing a wider crisis
The underfunding of the Navy is only one aspect of a wider crisis facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). With outdated doctrines and a policy vacuum, the SANDF is struggling to adapt to the evolving security landscape, including irregular warfare carried out by non-state actors. The gap between the SANDF's mandate and its capabilities is widening, threatening its ability to effectively protect South Africa.
Lobese says the impact of the underfunding cripples operations, that is why our platoons can’t go to sea. It’s because we do not have the spares we require immediately for us to undertake